‘They are getting global support ‘–Zulum raises alarm as Bokoharam, ISWAP, regroup

Governor Babagana Zulum, of Borno State has raised serious concerns over the regrouping of Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists in critical parts of the state.

Zulum made the revelation on Friday April 25, 2025, in Maiduguri when he received the Minister of Defence, Badaru Abubakar, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, and other senior military commanders.

He warned that insurgents are freely regrouping in the Tumbus areas of Lake Chad and the Mandara Hills within the Sambisa Forest.

The governor lamented that despite repeated military operations, terrorists continue to regain lost territories after troops withdraw.

Zulum said, “What we are facing now is, we do military exercises and after some time, we disengage. The Boko Haram and ISWAP members will again come and take over those areas that were hitherto regained.”

He stressed that the Tumbus areas around Lake Chad remain untouched by military operations, allowing terrorists to thrive.

According to him, these water areas provide the insurgents with money, livelihoods, and safe havens.

He added, “There was never a time since the insurgency started that operations were conducted on the shores of the Tumbus in Lake Chad. It has been a breeding ground for the insurgents.”

Zulum called for urgent and strategic military operations in the waterways, stressing that insurgents use the area as a base before dispersing to other regions in Nigeria.

He also highlighted the dangers posed by Nigeria’s porous borders, which, he said, are constantly infiltrated by terrorists moving through the Sahel.

The governor warned, “ISWAP and Boko Haram are terrorists getting support internationally, and looking at our porous borders, they remain infiltrated through the Sahel, which is our major problem.”

Zulum’s alarm comes amid growing fears about the resurgence of terrorist activities in the region.

Just days ago, Bulama Bukarti, a senior fellow at the Extremism Policy Unit of the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, warned that Boko Haram activities are gaining new traction on social media platforms, especially TikTok.

Bukarti noted that the group’s online popularity is helping to radicalize and recruit more young people.

Similarly, Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South District, recently revealed grim statistics.

He stated that about 100 soldiers and 280 civilians had been killed by Boko Haram insurgents within a six-month period.

These developments have sparked renewed concerns over Nigeria’s counterinsurgency strategies.

Security experts are now calling for a rethink of military tactics, especially in difficult terrains like Lake Chad.

The Federal Government is yet to respond officially to Zulum’s latest warnings.

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